The Boy Travellers in Mexico

By Thomas Wallace Knox

"The Boy Travellers in Mexico" by Thomas W. Knox is a compelling book that's full of adventure. Whether a reader has been able to travel to Mexico or not, they'll feel as though they've been transported into the book from the very first page. The only complaint readers might have is that they wish the story were longer.

• Language: English
• Publisher: DigiCat
• Release date: Jul 21, 2022
• ISBN: 8596547095286

Book preview

Thomas Wallace Knox

The Boy Travellers in Mexico

EAN 8596547095286

DigiCat, 2022

Contact: [e-mail]

Table of Contents

PREFACE.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

THE BOY TRAVELLERS

IN

MEXICO.

CHAPTER I.

CHAPTER II.

HOTELS ON THE FRONTIER.—ACCOMMODATIONS AT LAREDO.—SMUGGLING OVER THE BORDER.—LAREDO AS A RAILWAY CENTRE.—THE RIO GRANDE AND ITS PECULIARITIES.—RIVERS BENEATH THE SANDS.—ENTERING MEXICAN TERRITORY.—EXAMINATIONS AT THE CUSTOM-HOUSE.—MEXICAN TARIFFS.—BRIBERY AMONG OFFICIALS.—LEAVING NUEVO LAREDO.—A DREARY PLAIN.—FELLOW-PASSENGERS WITH OUR FRIENDS.—A MEXICAN IRISHMAN.—PEOPLE AT THE STATIONS.—ADOBE HOUSES; HOW THEY ARE MADE.—THE LAND OF MAÑANA .— POCO TIEMPO AND QUIEN SABE .—LAMPASAS.— MESA DE LOS CARTUJANOS .—PRODUCTS OF NUEVO LEON.—SADDLE AND MITRE MOUNTAINS.—MONTEREY.

CHAPTER III.

THE AMERICAN INVASION OF TO-DAY.—MONTEREY AS A HEALTH RESORT; ITS SITE AND SURROUNDINGS.—THE CATHEDRAL AND OTHER PUBLIC BUILDINGS.—CAPTURE OF MONTEREY BY GENERAL TAYLOR.—SHORT HISTORY OF THE MEXICAN WAR.—FROM CORPUS CHRISTI TO MONTEREY.—THE ATTACK ON THE CITY.—CAPTURE OF THE FORTS AND THE BISHOP'S PALACE.—FRANK RECITES A POEM.—LIEUT. U.S. GRANT AND WHAT HE DID AT MONTEREY.—A STORY ABOUT JEFFERSON DAVIS.—HOW JOHN PHENIX ESCAPED CASHIERING—SIGHTS OF THE CITY.—THE MARKET-PLACE AND WHAT WAS SEEN THERE.—FRUITS, BIRDS, POTTERY, ETC.—IN A MONTEREY HOUSE.—A PALATIAL RESIDENCE.

CHAPTER IV.

SOUTHWARD TO SALTILLO.—SANTA CATERINA.—REMARKABLE CAVES.—SCENERY OF THE SIERRA MADRE.—WAY-SIDE ATTRACTIONS.—THE CACTUS; ITS FLOWERS AND MANY VARIETIES.—SALTILLO.—THE ALAMEDA.—MEXICAN CURRENCY.—THE BATTLE-FIELD OF BUENA VISTA.—BY CARRIAGE AND SADDLE.—A NIGHT AT A HACIENDA.—MEXICAN COOKERY.—TORTILLAS, PUCHERO, FRIJOLES, TAMALES, AND OTHER EDIBLES.—HISTORY OF THE MEXICAN WAR FROM MONTEREY TO BUENA VISTA.—5,000 AMERICANS DEFEAT 20,000 MEXICANS.—DESCRIPTION OF THE FIELD.—COTTON FACTORY AT SALTILLO.—COTTON MANUFACTURES IN MEXICO.

CHAPTER V.

FROM SALTILLO TO JARAL.—A JOURNEY BY DILIGENCE.—PECULIARITIES OF DILIGENCE TRAVEL.—BRIGANDAGE; HOW THE GOVERNMENT SUPPRESSED IT.—ROBBERS TURNED INTO SOLDIERS.—STORIES OF BRIGANDS AND THEIR WORK; THEIR TREATMENT OF PRISONERS.—A CASE OF POLITENESS.—DINNER AT A WAY-SIDE INN.— CHILE CON CARNE .—DESCRIPTION OF CHIHUAHUA.—THE SANTA EULALIA MINES; ROMANTIC STORY OF THEIR DISCOVERY.—TORREON AND LERDO.—COTTON IN TRANSIT.—STATISTICS OF COTTON IN MEXICO.—FRESNILLO.—CALERA.—A BAD BREAKFAST.—ARRIVAL AT ZACATECAS.—LODGED IN AN OLD CONVENT.

CHAPTER VI.

NAME, POPULATION, AND PECULIARITIES OF ZACATECAS.—THE PILGRIMAGE CHAPEL.—A WEALTHY CATHEDRAL.—STREET SCENES.—MINES OF ZACATECAS.—A DANGEROUS DESCENT.—THE PATIO PROCESS OF REDUCING ORES.—TREADING ORE WITH MULES AND HORSES.—A SORRY SIGHT.—THE MINERS; HOW THEY LIVE AND WORK.—STATISTICS OF SILVER-MINING IN MEXICO.—ASTOUNDING CALCULATIONS.—FROM ZACATECAS TO AGUAS CALIENTES.—FARM SCENES.—FARMING IN MEXICO.—CONDITION OF LABORERS.—MEN AS BEASTS OF BURDEN.—AGUAS CALIENTES.—A BEAUTIFUL CITY.—A PICTURESQUE POPULATION.—WOMEN OF MEXICO.

CHAPTER VII.

SOUTHWARD AGAIN.—CROSSING A BARRANCA.—BARRANCAS IN MEXICO.—LAGOS AND ITS PECULIARITIES.—LEON, THE MANUFACTURING CITY OF MEXICO.—SILAO.—ARRIVAL AT GUANAJUATO.—A SILVER CITY.—THE VALENCIANO MINE.—AN UNHEALTHY PLACE.—BAD DRAINAGE.—A SYSTEM OF RESERVOIRS.—THE CASTILLO DEL GRENADITAS.—AN INDIAN'S ARMOR.—EXPERT THIEVES.—STEALING A GRINDSTONE.—MARKET SCENES.—HEADS OF SHEEP AND GOATS.—SCHOOLS AT GUANAJUATO.—EDUCATION IN MEXICO.—DOWN IN THE RAYAS MINE.—SIGHTS UNDERGROUND.—AN INDIAN WATER-CARRIER.—HOW A SKIN IS TAKEN WHOLE FROM A PIG.—THE REDUCTION HACIENDA.—MR. PARKMAN'S MACHINE.—QUERETARO.—THE HERCULES AND OTHER COTTON-MILLS.

CHAPTER VIII.

AQUEDUCT AT QUERETARO.—THE RESULT OF A BANTER.—THE HILL OF THE BELLS.—PLACE WHERE MAXIMILIAN WAS SHOT.—REVOLUTIONS IN MEXICO.—FOREIGN INTERVENTION.—MAXIMILIAN BECOMES EMPEROR.—THE BLACK DECREE.—WITHDRAWAL OF FRENCH TROOPS FROM MEXICO.—MAXIMILIAN'S DEFEAT, CAPTURE, AND DEATH.—HOW A FRENCH NEWSPAPER CIRCUMVENTED THE LAWS.—PRONUNCIAMENTOS.—JUAREZ AS PRESIDENT.—THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN OF MEXICO.—A WONDERFUL PROPHECY.—PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF JUAREZ.—RELIGION IN MEXICO.—FORMER POWER OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.—THE LAWS OF THE REFORM.—PROTESTANT CHURCHES AND PROTESTANT WORK.—MISSIONARY MARTYRS.—MURDER OF REV. J.L. STEPHENS.—RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS AT PRESENT.

CHAPTER IX.

FROM QUERETARO TO THE CAPITAL.—PLAIN OF THE CAZADERO.—TULA.—THE GREAT SPANISH DRAINAGE-CUT.—DISASTROUS INUNDATIONS OF MEXICO CITY.—A PUZZLE FOR ENGINEERS.—ARRIVAL AT THE CAPITAL.—HOTEL LIFE.—RESTAURANTS, AND THE MODE OF LIVING.—AMUSING STORIES OF HOTEL MANAGEMENT.— FONDAS AND FONDITAS .—MEN FOR CHAMBER-MAIDS.— ALMUERZO .—A MORNING STROLL ALONG THE STREETS.—WOMEN ON THEIR WAY TO MASS.—THE MANTILLA.—SELLERS OF SACRED THINGS.—DEALERS IN LOTTERY TICKETS.—LOTTERIES RUN BY GOVERNMENT.—ATTENDING A DRAWING.—HOW THE AFFAIR WAS CONDUCTED.—FLOWER-SELLERS.

CHAPTER X.

THE CATHEDRAL OF MEXICO.—SITE OF THE AZTEC TEOCALLI.—HUMAN SACRIFICES.—PANORAMA OF THE VALLEY OF MEXICO.—EXTENT AND COST OF THE CATHEDRAL; CHAPELS AND ALTARS.—TOMB OF ITURBIDE.—THE CAREER AND TRAGIC END OF ITURBIDE.—THE RICHEST ALTAR IN THE WORLD.—GOLDEN CANDLESTICKS A MAN COULD NOT LIFT.—THE AZTEC CALENDAR-STONE; ITS INTERESTING FEATURES; INSCRIPTION ON THE STONE.—BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE AZTECS.—THE TRIBE CALLED MEXICANS.—AZTEC LAWS AND CUSTOMS.—PREVALENCE OF THE DEATH PENALTY.—AZTEC POSTING SYSTEM.—PICTURE-WRITING.—FLOWER-SHOW IN THE ZOCALO.—A FASHIONABLE ASSEMBLAGE.—WONDERFUL WORK IN FEATHERS.

CHAPTER XI.

LOST ARTS IN MEXICO.—GOLDSMITHS' WORK IN THE TIME OF CORTEZ.—SILVER FILIGREE.—MODELLING IN WAX AND CLAY.—NATIVE TASTE FOR MUSIC.—NATIONAL CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC.—MUSEUM OF ANTIQUITIES.—THE SACRIFICIAL STONE.—SACRIFICES AMONG THE ANCIENT MEXICANS.—GLADIATORIAL STONE.—A BRAVE SOLDIER.—OBSIDIAN KNIVES AND RAZORS.—AZTEC METALLURGY.—STATUE OF THE GOD OF WAR.—SHIELD AND CLOAK OF MONTEZUMA.—AZTEC WARFARE AND DOMESTIC LIFE.—RELICS OF HIDALGO AND MAXIMILIAN.—MAX'S STATE COACH.—NATIONAL PALACE.—HALL OF THE AMBASSADORS.—MEXICAN PAINTINGS.—THE MONTE DE PIEDAD.—AN EXTENSIVE PAWN-SHOP.—LOCKING UP MEN AS SECURITY.—FORMALITIES OF THE SALESROOM.

CHAPTER XII.

MEXICAN POLITENESS.—FREE GIFTS OF HOUSES AND OTHER PROPERTY.—AWKWARD MISTAKES.—AN ENGLISHWOMAN'S DILEMMA, AND HOW SHE GOT OUT OF IT.—UNCLE FREDDY AND THE GOVERNOR OF ACAPULCO.—THE GREAT MARKET; SIGHTS AND SCENES THERE.—ON THE CANAL.—EXTENSIVE LOCAL COMMERCE.—THE CHINAMPAS , OR FLOATING GARDENS.—AN EXCURSION ON THE LAKES.—SANTA ANITA, A PLACE OF RECREATION.—EXPERTS IN DIVING.—THE HILL OF ESTRELLA.—THE FESTIVAL OF FIRE; PRESCOTT'S DESCRIPTION OF THE FEARFUL CEREMONY.—FISHING IN THE LAKES.—THE AXOLOTL.—FISH OR REPTILE?—FLIES' EGGS AS AN ARTICLE OF FOOD.

CHAPTER XIII.

COURTSHIP IN MEXICO.—PLAYING THE BEAR.—LOVERS' TROUBLES.—A SHORT ROAD TO MATRIMONY.—PRESENTS TO THE EXPECTANT BRIDE.—THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY.—TEDIOUS PRELIMINARIES.—CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS MARRIAGES.—DIFFERENCES OF MARRIAGE AMONG THE COMMON PEOPLE AND THE UPPER CLASSES.—A HAND-BOOK FOR LOVERS.—FUNERALS; HOW THEY ARE MANAGED.—CARDS OF CONDOLENCE.—CEMETERIES.—MONUMENT TO AMERICAN SOLDIERS.—ANNUAL DEATH-RATE IN MEXICO CITY.—PREVALENT DISEASES.—DOMESTIC SERVANTS; THEIR NUMBER, WAGES, AND MODE OF LIFE.—A PECULIAR LAUNDRY SYSTEM.

CHAPTER XIV.

SCULPTURE AND PAINTING IN MEXICO.—NATIONAL SCHOOL OF THE FINE ARTS.—BRIEF HISTORY OF MEXICAN ART.—CELEBRATED PAINTINGS.—LAS CASAS PROTECTING THE AZTECS.—THE DEATH OF ATALA.—HOW AN ARTIST MANAGED TO SELL A PICTURE.—FROM ART TO PULQUERIAS .—THE NATIONAL BEVERAGE OF MEXICO.—THE MAGUEY PLANT.—HOW PULQUE IS MADE.—COLLECTING THE SAP.—FERMENTING AGUAMIEL .—DAILY CONSUMPTION OF PULQUE IN THE CITY OF MEXICO.—MANAGEMENT OF THE SHOPS.—ROMANTIC HISTORY OF THE INVENTION OF PULQUE .—MEXICAN POLICE-COURTS.—NOVEL MODE OF TRYING CASES.—THE BELEM PRISON.—CATALOGUE OF OFFENCES AGAINST THE LAW.—AN ADROIT THIEF.—RUNNING THE GANTLET.

CHAPTER XV.

THE PASEO DE LA REFORMA.—BRIGANDAGE NEAR THE CITY.—STATUE OF CHARLES IV. OF SPAIN.—STATUE OF COLUMBUS.—A RELIC OF MAXIMILIAN.—AQUEDUCTS FROM CHAPULTEPEC.—MONTEZUMA'S TREE.—CHAPULTEPEC; ITS HEIGHT AND EXTENT.—MONTEZUMA'S BATH.—THE PALACE.—THE FEAST OF BELSHAZZAR.—NATIONAL MILITARY COLLEGE.—MOLINO DEL REY.—GENERAL SCOTT'S ADVANCE UPON MEXICO.—CAPTURE OF VERA CRUZ.—BATTLE OF CERRO GORDO.—ENTERING THE VALLEY.—CONTRERAS AND CHURUBUSCO.—FALL OF CHAPULTEPEC.—GENERAL SCOTT'S ENTRANCE INTO THE CITY.—TREATY OF PEACE.—GENERAL GRANT ON THE MEXICAN WAR.

CHAPTER XVI.

THE NOCHE TRISTE TREE.—A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CONQUEST OF MEXICO.—DEPARTURE OF CORTEZ FROM CUBA.—HE LANDS IN YUCATAN.—FOUNDING THE CITY OF VERA CRUZ.—DEFEATING THE TLASCALANS.—ENTRANCE TO TENOCHTITLAN.—RECEPTION BY MONTEZUMA.—RETURN TO THE COAST.—EXPULSION OF THE SPANIARDS.—BESIEGING THE CITY WITH THE AID OF THE TLASCALANS.—CAPTURE OF THE CITY, AND DEATH OF GUATEMOZIN.—BEGINNING OF THE RULE OF THE VICEROYS.—THE CHURCH OF GUADALUPE.—STORY OF THE MIRACULOUS APPARITION.—RELIGIOUS AND POLITICAL HOLIDAY.—PILGRIMAGE TO GUADALUPE.— PENITENTES ; THEIR SELF-INFLICTED TORTURES.

CHAPTER XVII.

AREA AND INHABITANTS OF MEXICO.—CHARACTER OF THE POPULATION.—INDIANS, EUROPEANS, AND MESTIZOS; THEIR RESPECTIVE NUMBERS AND CHARACTERISTICS.—INCLINATIONS OF THE MIXED RACES.—TENDENCIES OF EDUCATED INDIANS.—PRESIDENT JUAREZ AS AN EXAMPLE.—HOW THE INDIANS LIVE.—HOW THE SPANIARDS TOOK POSSESSION OF THE LAND.—CREOLES AND THEIR ORIGIN.—THE MESTIZOS.—LEPEROS AND THEIR CHARACTER.—ADROIT THIEVES.—PAWNING A CHURCH ORGAN.—THE LEPEROS AND THE BRIGANDS.—CHURCH OF SAN DOMINGO.—SHORT HISTORY OF THE INQUISITION IN MEXICO.—THE AUTO-DA-FÉ .

CHAPTER XVIII.

ASCENT OF POPOCATEPETL.—THE WHITE WOMAN.—GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION OF THE VOLCANO.—FIRST ASCENT BY WHITE MEN.—AMECAMECA.—HIRING HORSES AND BUYING PROVISIONS.—EQUIPMENT FOR THE EXCURSION.—DANGER OF ROBBERS.—PEONS AND VOLCANEROS.—FIELDS OF BARLEY AND FORESTS OF PINE.—AN INDIAN TRADITION.—FATE OF THE GIANT AND GIANTESS.—ICE FROM POPOCATEPETL FOR THE CITY OF MEXICO.—SULPHUR FROM THE CRATER.—SLEEPING AT TLAMACAS.—ARRIVAL AT LA CRUZ.—THE ASCENT ON FOOT.—DIFFICULTIES OF CLIMBING IN THE RAREFIED AIR.—THE PICO DEL FRAILE.—CAUGHT IN A CLOUD.

CHAPTER XIX.

THE ASCENT OF POPOCATEPETL CONTINUED.—LAST STEPS OF THE UPWARD JOURNEY.—LOSS OF LIFE ON THE MOUNTAIN.—HOW THREE INDIANS PERISHED.—THE CRATER OF THE VOLCANO.—HOW THE SULPHUR-MINERS EXIST.—DANGERS OF THE CRATER.—THE SOLFATARAS.—CAUGHT IN A STORM.—VIEW FROM THE SUMMIT.—SCENES IN THE CRATER.—A RAPID DESCENT.—TOBOGGANING ON A GRAND SCALE.—HOW THE SULPHUR-MINE ORIGINATED.—NO ERUPTION IN SEVEN THOUSAND YEARS.—RETURN TO AMECAMECA.—EXPLORATION OF THE SURROUNDING COUNTRY.—TOMBS AND THEIR CONTENTS.—CURIOUS INSTANCE OF PRESERVATION.—MONTE SACRO.—MODERN ANTIQUITIES.—INDIANS WORSHIPPING THE VOLCANO.—EXPERIENCE WITH A RATERO.

CHAPTER XX.

RAPACIOUS CARGADORES.—OLD BOOK-STORES IN THE PORTALES.—PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE MEXICAN CAPITAL; THE PUPILS IN ATTENDANCE.—THEATRES AND HOSPITALS.—A THEATRE SUPPORTING A HOSPITAL.—THE BROTHERS OF CHARITY.—INSIDE THE THEATRES.—A PERFORMANCE OF OPERA.—A MINOR THEATRE.—LISTENING TO A MEXICAN PERFORMANCE.—BULL-FIGHTING IN MEXICO.—A DISGRACEFUL SPORT.—ORIGIN OF THE BULL-FIGHT.—MARIONETTE THEATRES.—THE PROCESSIONS.—MEXICAN LOVE FOR COCK-FIGHTING.—COMMINGLING OF RELIGIOUS CEREMONIALS AND AMUSEMENTS.—THE POSADA AND THE PASTORELA; THEIR PECULIARITIES.—KILLING JUDAS.

CHAPTER XXI.

EXCURSION TO TULA.—AN ANCIENT CITY OF THE TOLTECS.—CHURCH OF THE TIME OF CORTEZ.—MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE TOLTECS.—TOLTEC KINGS, COURTS, AND KNIGHTHOOD.—RUINS OF THE TEMPLE AND PALACE.—JOURNEY TO MORELOS.—INTEROCEANIC RAILWAY.—MORELOS AND HIS SERVICES TO MEXICO.—CUAUTLA AND ITS ATTRACTIONS.—TERRIBLE RAILWAY ACCIDENT.—DOWN THE SOUTHERN SLOPE.—IN TIERRA CALIENTE.—VISITING A SUGAR ESTATE.—TO YAUTEPEC AND CUERNAVACA.—RIDE OVER THE MOUNTAINS.—SITUATION OF CUERNAVACA.—OLD CHURCH AND PALACE OF CORTEZ.—A FORTUNATE FRENCHMAN.—ROMANTIC INCIDENT IN THE CAPTURE OF CUERNAVACA.

CHAPTER XXII.

OVERLAND TO ACAPULCO.—SCENES OF LONG AGO.—PRESENT MODE OF TRAVEL.—TEN DAYS ON HORSEBACK.—WAY-SIDE ACCOMMODATIONS.—ACAPULCO'S HARBOR.—RETURN TO THE CAPITAL.—EXCURSION TO GUADALAJARA.—DOCTOR BRONSON LEFT BEHIND.—OLD BRIDGES AND THEIR HISTORY.—BATTLE BETWEEN HIDALGO AND THE SPANIARDS.—STORIES ABOUT BRIGANDS.—SLAUGHTER BY PRIVATE ENTERPRISE.—HOW SEÑOR PEREZ SECURED PEACE.—ATTRACTIONS OF GUADALAJARA.—THE CATHEDRAL AND OTHER CHURCHES.—THE GREAT HOSPICIO.—WHAT THE EARTHQUAKE DID.—PUBLIC SCHOOLS.—A DAY ON A CATTLE HACIENDA.—A RODEO.—RETURN TO THE CAPITAL.

CHAPTER XXIII.

INTERVIEW WITH PRESIDENT DIAZ; HIS PERSONAL APPEARANCE AND HISTORY.—A CHECKERED CAREER.—SAVED FROM THE SEA.—THE FAITHFUL PURSER AND HIS REWARD.—CHARACTERISTICS OF DIAZ'S ADMINISTRATION.—MADAME DIAZ.—A DIPLOMATIC MARRIAGE.—THE ARMY AND NAVY OF MEXICO.—THE POSTAL SERVICE.—NEWSPAPERS AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS.—PRINCIPAL WRITERS OF FICTION.—FROM MEXICO TO PUEBLA.—HOW THE MEXICAN RAILWAY WAS BUILT.—DIFFICULTIES OF ENGINEERING.—APIZACO.—THE CITY OF THE ANGELS; ITS CATHEDRAL AND OTHER CURIOSITIES.—MANUFACTURES OF PUEBLA.—BATTLE-FIELD OF CINCO DE MAYO .

CHAPTER XXIV.

FURTHER SIGHTS IN PUEBLA.—ECCLESIASTICAL BUILDINGS.—SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, ASYLUMS, AND OTHER PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.—CHOLULA AND ITS GREAT PYRAMID.—FIRST SIGHT OF THE PYRAMID; ITS CHARACTER, SIZE, AND PECULIARITIES.—ANCIENT CHOLULA.—MASSACRE OF INHABITANTS BY CORTEZ.—RUMORS OF BURIED TREASURES.—HOW A CRAFTY PRIEST WAS FOILED.—VISIT TO TLASCALA.—THE STATE LEGISLATURE IN SESSION.—BANNER CARRIED BY CORTEZ.—FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA.—ANCIENT PULPIT AND BAPTISMAL FONT.—A REVERED SHRINE.—FROM TLASCALA TO APIZACO AND ONWARD TOWARDS THE GULF.

CHAPTER XXV.

DOWN THE CUMBRES .—A MONSTER LOCOMOTIVE.—MALTRATA.—EL BARRANCA DEL INFERNILLO.—IN THE TIERRA TEMPLADA .—PEAK OF ORIZABA; HOW IT WAS ASCENDED.—AN OLD AND QUAINT TOWN.—EXCURSIONS IN THE ENVIRONS OF ORIZABA.—FALLS OF THE RINCON GRANDE.—MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.—CERRO DEL BORREGO.—THE MEXICAN ARMY ROUTED.—CORDOBA.—HOW TO RUN A COFFEE PLANTATION.—BARRANCA OF METLAC.—PASO DEL MACHO.— TIERRA CALIENTE .—DRY LANDS NEAR THE SEA-COAST.—VERA CRUZ.—ZOPILOTES AND THEIR USES.—YELLOW FEVER; ITS SEASONS AND PECULIARITIES.—NORTHERS AND THEIR BENEFITS.

CHAPTER XXVI.

THE ALAMEDA OF VERA CRUZ.—TROPICAL GROWTHS.—THE PALO DE LECHE AND ITS PECULIARITIES.—A DANGEROUS PLANT.—FOUNTAINS AND WATER-CARRIERS.—GOVERNOR'S PALACE.—BRIEF HISTORY OF VERA CRUZ.—PILLAGED BY PIRATES AND CAPTURED IN WARS.—FORTRESS OF SAN JUAN DE ULLOA.—HORRORS OF A MEXICAN PRISON.—EXCURSION TO JALAPA.—THE NATIONAL BRIDGE.—CERRO GORDO.—GENERAL SCOTT'S VICTORY.—JALAPA.—A CITY OF MISTS.—STAPLE PRODUCTS OF THE REGION.—JALAP AND ITS QUALITIES.—PRETTY WOMEN.—PECULIARITIES OF THE STREETS.—ORIZABA AND PEROTE.—NEW RAILWAY CONNECTIONS.—TAMPICO AND ANTON LIZARDO.—DELAYED BY A NORTHER.—DEPARTURE BY STEAMER.—FAREWELL TO VERA CRUZ.

CHAPTER XXVII.

THE COATZACOALCOS RIVER.—ISTHMUS OF TEHUANTEPEC.—TEHUANTEPEC RAILWAY AND SHIP-CANAL.—THE EADS SHIP-RAILWAY.—AN IDEA OF CORTEZ.—PLANS OF CAPTAIN EADS.—A RAILWAY-CARRIAGE WITH 1200 WHEELS.—SHIPS CARRIED IN TANKS.—ENGINEERING AND OTHER FEATURES OF THE SHIP-RAILWAY.—MAHOGANY TRADE.—FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR THREE LOGS.—FRONTERA AND TABASCO.—RUINS OF PALENQUE.—LORILLARD CITY.—EXPLORATIONS BY STEPHENS AND CHARNAY.—PALACE OF PALENQUE.—TEMPLE OF THE CROSS.—TEMPLE OF LORILLARD.—REMARKABLE IDOL.—A REGION ABOUNDING IN RUINS.—REMAINS OF MITLA.—PILLAR OF DEATH.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

THE MYSTERIOUS CITY; STORIES AND RUMORS CONCERNING IT.—ACCOUNTS OF STEPHENS AND MORELET.—FATE OF TWO YOUNG AMERICANS.—DON PEDRO VELASQUEZ.—CARMEN AND CAMPEACHY.—UNDERGROUND CAVES.—HOW LOGWOOD IS GATHERED; ITS COMMERCIAL IMPORTANCE.—THE QUEZAL AND ITS WONDERFUL PLUMAGE.—SNAKES AND SNAKE STORIES.—TRAVELLERS' TALES.—PROGRESO AND SISAL.—HOW THE YUCATAN RAILWAY WAS BUILT.— AGAVE SISALANA .—DISCOVERY AND CONQUEST OF YUCATAN.—A FEROCIOUS POPULATION.—REBELLIOUS INDIANS IN YUCATAN; HOW THEY TREAT VISITORS.—TOWNS AND VILLAGES DEPOPULATED.

CHAPTER XXIX.

RAILWAY-STATION AT MERIDA.—PUBLIC CONVEYANCES.—THE CALESA .—A RIDE THROUGH THE STREETS.—WHEN MERIDA WAS FOUNDED.—PRACTICAL MODE OF DESIGNATING STREETS.—PUBLIC BUILDINGS.— CASA MUNICIPAL .—DRESS AND MANNERS OF THE PEOPLE.—INDIANS, SPANIARDS, AND MESTIZOS.—A CITY OF PRETTY WOMEN.—CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MAYA RACE.—THE MESTIZO QUARTER.—SCENES IN THE MARKET.—BREAKFASTING AT A MEDIO RESTAURANT.—EUCHRE OR YUCCA.—USES OF THE YUCCA PLANT.—GAMBLING IN YUCATAN.— LA LOTERIA ; HOW IT IS PLAYED.—AMERICAN COUNTERPART OF THE YUCATEO GAME.—A POPULAR ASSEMBLAGE.

CHAPTER XXX.

POTTERY AND HAMMOCK MARKETS.—HAMMOCKS IN YUCATAN; THEIR GENERAL USE FOR SLEEPING PURPOSES.—YUCATEO SALUTATIONS.—AN AWKWARD SITUATION.—FASHIONABLE, MESTIZO, AND INDIAN BALLS.—CHARACTERISTIC INDIAN DANCES.—WORSHIP OF THE SUN AMONG THE ANCIENT YUCATEOS.—NATIVE MUSIC.—ZOPILOTE DANCE.—VISIT TO A HENEQUIN HACIENDA.—THE VOLAN COCHÉ ; A VEHICLE OF THE COUNTRY.—A RACE AND HOW IT ENDED.—ARRIVAL AT THE HACIENDA.—THE SCRAPING AND BALING MACHINERY.—STARTING A PLANTATION.—PRICE OF THE FIBRE IN THE MARKET.—NO MONEY IN THE BUSINESS.—FIBRE-FACTORIES IN YUCATAN.—HOW THE OWNERS OF ESTATES LIVE.

CHAPTER XXXI.

FIRST NIGHT IN THE HAMMOCKS.—INSPECTING A CENOTÉ .—UNDERGROUND WATERCOURSES AND LAKES.—HOW CENOTÉS ARE FORMED.—A SUBTERRANEAN BATH-HOUSE.—A NORIA .—WATER TAX ON A DIRECT SYSTEM.—NATIVE SUPERSTITIONS.—A LIZARD THAT SHAKES HIS TAIL OFF.—BITING A SHADOW, AND WHAT COMES OF IT.—JOURNEY TO THE RUINS OF UXMAL.—A HEETZMEK.—YUCATEO MODE OF CARRYING INFANTS.—BREAKFAST AT A HACIENDA.—GARDEN AT UAYALKÉ.—EATING TROPICAL LIZARDS.—FRED'S OPINION OF LIZARD STEWS.—BEES OF THE COUNTRY.—SUPERFLUOUS INDUSTRY OF YUCATEO BEES.—EVENING PRAYER AT A HACIENDA.—ARRIVAL AT UXMAL.

CHAPTER XXXII.

A ROMANTIC LEGEND.—HOW THE KING WAS OVERCOME BY THE WITCH.—VISITING THE DWARF'S HOUSE; ITS POSITION AND PECULIARITIES.—HOUSE OF THE NUNS; ITS EXTENT AND CONSTRUCTION.— CASA DEL GOBERNADOR .—DESTRUCTIVE AGENCIES AT WORK.—AT HOME IN A ROYAL PALACE.—MAYA ARCHES.—TROPICAL TREES AND PLANTS.—DOUBLE-HEADED DOG OF UXMAL.—GARAPATAS AND THE ANNOYANCE THEY CAUSED.—INSECT PESTS OF YUCATAN.—DR. LE PLONGEON AND THE STATUE OF CHAC-MOOL.—GHOSTS AND GHOST STORIES.—BIRDS OF YUCATAN.—AN ANCIENT WATERING-PLACE.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

A CHAPTER ON ARCHÆOLOGY.—NUMBER AND EXTENT OF THE RUINED CITIES OF YUCATAN.—MAYAPAN, THE ANCIENT CAPITAL.—PYRAMID OF MAYAPAN.—AKÉ AND ITS PICOTÉ .—AN ANCIENT WHIPPING-POST.—PYRAMIDS AT AKÉ.—HISTORICAL CONUNDRUMS.—KABAH AND ITS MOUND.—SCULPTURE OF A MAN ON HORSEBACK.—CHICHEN-ITZA.—CHURCH, NUNNERY, CASTLE, AND TENNIS-COURT AT CHICHEN.—EXTENT AND CHARACTER OF THE SCULPTURES.—STORY OF THE CONQUEST OF CHICHEN.—SKILFUL RETREAT OF THE SPANISH CAPTAIN.—OTHER RUINED CITIES.—IDOLS OF COPAN.—PROBABILITIES OF CITIES YET TO BE DISCOVERED.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE REPUBLICS COMPOSING IT; A SKETCH OF THEIR HISTORY; AREA AND POPULATION.—SNAKES, LIZARDS, AND OTHER CREEPING THINGS.—COSTA RICA AND ITS REVOLUTIONS.—A PRESIDENT WHO COULDN'T READ.—HONDURAS AND ITS RESOURCES.—VISIT TO TEGUCIGALPA.—YUSCARAN AND ITS MINERAL WEALTH.—UNFORTUNATE FINANCIERING.—INTERESTING SOCIAL CUSTOMS.—INTEROCEANIC CANALS; THEIR PRESENT STATUS.—THE NICARAGUA CANAL; SURVEYS, ESTIMATES, AND DESCRIPTION OF THE ROUTE; PROBABLE ADVANTAGES TO THE WORLD'S COMMERCE; TERMS OF THE CONCESSION; ESTIMATED COST, REVENUES, AND SAVING OF DISTANCES.—FAREWELL TO MEXICO.—THE END.

THE END.

INTERESTING BOOKS FOR BOYS.

PREFACE.

Table of Contents

Until within the past few years, Mexico was a country not easily reached from the principal cities of the United States, and our relations with it were by no means intimate. Since the completion of the railway from the frontier of Texas to the heart of the most northerly of the Spanish-American republics, there has been a rapid development of commercial and social relations between Mexico and the United States, and the tide of travel from one country to the other is steadily increasing year by year. These circumstances have led the author of The Boy Travellers to believe that his young friends everywhere would welcome a book describing the land of the Aztecs, its history and resources, the manners and customs of its people, and the many curious things to be seen, and adventures passed through, in a journey from one end of that country to the other.

In this belief he sought the aid of his and their friends, Frank and Fred, immediately after their return from Australasia. Ever ready to be of service, the youths assented to his request to make a tour of the Mexican republic, in company with their guide and mentor, Doctor Bronson, and the result of their journey is set forth in the following pages. It is confidently hoped that the narrative will be found in every particular fully equal to any of its predecessors in the series to which it belongs.

The methods on which the Boy Travellers have hitherto performed their work have been adhered to in the present volume. In addition to his personal acquaintance with Mexico and travels in that country, the author has drawn upon the observations of those who have preceded and followed him there. He has consulted books of history, travel, and statistics in great number, has sought the best and most accurate maps, and while his work was in progress he consulted many persons familiar with Mexico, and was in frequent correspondence with gentlemen now residing there. He has sought to bring the social, political, and commercial history of the country down to the latest date, and to present a truthful picture of the present status of our sister republic. The result of his efforts he submits herewith to the judgment of his readers.

Many of the works that have been consulted are named in the text, but it has not been convenient to refer to all. Among those to which the author is indebted may be mentioned the following: Bishop's Old Mexico and her Lost Provinces, Griffin's Mexico of To-day, Haven's Our Next-door Neighbor, Charnay's Ancient Cities of the New World, Squier's Nicaragua and Central America, Wells's Honduras, Stephens's Travels in Central America, Chiapas, and Yucatan, Baldwin's Ancient America, Wilson's Mexico and its Religions, Abbott's Hernando Cortez, Prescott's Conquest of Mexico, Ober's Travels in Mexico, Geiger's Peep at Mexico, Gooch's Face to Face with the Mexicans, Chevalier's Mexique Ancien et Moderne, and the hand-books of Janvier, Conkling, and Hamilton.

As in the other Boy Traveller volumes, the author is indebted to the liberality of his publishers, Messrs. Harper & Brothers, for the use of engravings that have appeared in previous publications relative to Mexico and Central America, in addition to those specially prepared for this book. As a result of their generosity, he has been enabled to add greatly to the interest of the work, particularly to the younger portion of his readers, for whom illustrations always have an especial charm.

T.W.K.

New York

, June, 1889.

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ILLUSTRATIONS.

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THE BOY TRAVELLERS

IN

MEXICO.

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CHAPTER I.

Table of Contents

PREPARATIONS FOR DEPARTURE.—PLANS FOR THE JOURNEY.—TO MEXICO BY RAIL.—BAGGAGE, AND BOOKS ON THE COUNTRY.—BRUSHING UP THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF SPANISH.—WESTWARD FROM NEW YORK.—A HALT AT ST. LOUIS.—SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS.—VISIT TO THE ALAMO.—REMINISCENCES OF THE FALL OF THE ALAMO.—BATTLE OF SAN JACINTO AND INDEPENDENCE OF TEXAS.—NOTES ON THE RAILWAYS OF NORTHERN MEXICO.—OLD TEXAS AND MODERN CHANGES.—G.T.T.—PRESENT WEALTH OF THE STATE.—ARRIVAL ON THE FRONTIER OF MEXICO.

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I've news for you, Frank!

Well, what is it?

We're going to Mexico next week, answered Fred; at any rate, that is uncle's plan, and he will tell us all about it this evening.

A NEXT-DOOR NEIGHBOR.

The news is good news, was the reply; for Mexico is one of the countries that just now I want very much to see. We have heard a great deal about it since the railway was completed to the capital; and then, you know, the Mexicans are our neighbors.

That is true, said Fred; here we've been going all over the rest of the world, and haven't yet called on our neighbors, and next-door neighbors too. But we're not alone in this, as it is probable that for every inhabitant of the Northern States who has visited Mexico, a hundred have been across the Atlantic.

This conversation occurred between Frank Bassett and Fred Bronson shortly after returning from their tour among the islands of the Pacific Ocean and through New Zealand, Tasmania, and Australia. The accounts of their journeys have appeared in several volumes, with which our readers are or should be familiar.[1]

The youths waited with some impatience until evening, when they were to hear from Doctor Bronson the details of the proposed trip. In the mean time they devoted themselves to their Spanish grammars and dictionaries, which they had not seen for months, owing to their occupation with other matters. And we may here add that until their departure and while they were on the road, every moment that could be applied to the study of the language of the country whither they were bound was industriously employed. By the time they crossed the border they were able to speak Spanish very well, and had very little need of interpreters.

We shall go to Mexico by rail, said the Doctor, and return by sea; at any rate, that is my plan at present, but circumstances may change it. It is my intention to visit the principal cities and other places of interest, and also to give some attention to the antiquities of the country and of Central America; exactly what places we shall see I cannot say at this moment, nor how long we shall be absent.

What shall we need in the way of baggage? one of the youths asked.

About what you need for a long journey north and south in the United States, was the reply. "You will need clothing for hot weather as well as for cold. We shall find it quite chilly in certain parts of the tierra fria, or highlands, and warm enough in the tierra caliente, or lowlands along the coast. You must have outer and under clothing adapted to warm and cool climates, and your ulsters may be placed for convenience in the same bundle with your linen dusters. Have a good supply of under-clothing, as the facilities for laundry-work are not the best, even in the large cities; but do not load yourselves with anything not absolutely necessary, as the Mexican railways allow only thirty-three pounds of baggage to a local passenger, and the charges for extra weight are high. Passengers with through tickets from the United States are entitled to one hundred and fifty pounds of baggage free.

Of course, continued the Doctor, you will want some books on Mexico, partly for historical research and partly for description. There is an excellent guide-book which was written by Mr. Janvier, and there is another by Mr. Conkling; get them both, and also 'Old Mexico and her Lost Provinces,' by Mr. Bishop, 'Mexico of To-day,' by Mr. Griffin, and 'Our Next-door Neighbor,' by Bishop Haven. Don't forget Charnay's 'Ancient Cities of the New World,' and Prescott's 'Conquest of Mexico.' You can read the latter book before we go; it is inconveniently large for travelling purposes, and so we will leave it behind us, as we can easily find it in the City of Mexico, in case we wish to refer to it again. Abbott's 'Life of Hernando Cortez' is a more portable work, and will serve to refresh your memory concerning what you read in Prescott's volumes.

THE MEXICAN FRONTIER.

The conversation lasted an hour or more, and by the time it ended the boys almost felt that they were already in the land of the Aztecs. Their dreams through the night were of ancient temples and modern palaces, Aztec and Spanish warriors, snowy mountains and palm-covered plains, mines of silver and other metals, fortresses, cathedrals, haciendas and hovels, and of many races and tribes of men that dwell in the land they were about to see. Fred declared in the morning that he had dreamed of Montezuma and Maximilian walking arm in arm, and Frank professed to have had a similar vision concerning Cortez and General Scott.

For the next few days the youths had no spare time on their hands, and when the start was made for the proposed journey they were well prepared for it both mentally and materially. They had followed Doctor Bronson's directions as to their outfit of clothing and other things, had procured the books which he named, and, as we have already seen, had made a vigorous overhauling of their Spanish grammars and phrase-books.

SCENE ON THE PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD.

From New York there are several routes westward, as our readers are pretty well aware, and the youths were a little puzzled to know which one would be chosen. The mystery was solved by the Doctor on the day before their departure. He announced that they would go to St. Louis by the Pennsylvania Railroad, and from there to the frontier of Mexico by the Missouri Pacific and Southern Pacific lines. And now, said he, I will leave you to choose the route to the capital city, and you need not decide until we reach St. Louis.

The Doctor's suggestion compelled a study of the maps and a careful reading of the guide-books and other literature pertaining to the journey. The result of their study may be summed up as follows from an entry which Frank made in his note-book:

STREET IN EL PASO.

"The first railway which was opened from the United States to the City of Mexico was the Mexican Central, which runs from El Paso, Texas, or rather from Paso del Norte, Mexico, which is opposite to El Paso, on the other side of the Rio Grande. Its length is 1224 miles, and it was completed March 8, 1884, at the station of Fresnillo, 750 miles from Paso del Norte, the line having been built from both ends at the same time. Three years and six months were required for its construction, and the line is said to have cost more than thirty-two millions of dollars; eight miles of track were laid during the last day of the work before the two ends of the line were brought together; and considering all the disadvantages of the enterprise, it reflects great credit upon those who managed it.

"For more than four years the Mexican Central was the only all-rail route for travellers from the United States to the City of Mexico, and it had a practical monopoly of business. In 1888 two other lines were opened; or perhaps we might say, another line and half of a third. These are the Mexican National Railway, from Laredo, Texas, to Mexico City, a distance of 825 miles, and the International Railway, from Piedras Negras, Mexico, opposite Eagle Pass, Texas, to a point on the Mexican Central, about half-way between El Paso and Mexico. The International is the one which we call half a line, as it makes a new route into Mexico, and from all we can learn a very good one too.

"The Central is a standard-gauge road, four feet eight and one-half inches wide, while the National is a narrow-gauge line, three feet between the rails; the advantage of the National line is that it is much shorter than the Central, as I will proceed to show.

"From St. Louis to Mexico City, by way of Laredo, the distance is 1823 miles, while by the Central line it is 2584 miles; there is thus a saving of 761 miles, or about thirty hours in time. But the Central will take us through five or six interesting cities, while the National only goes near Monterey, San Luis Potosi, and Toluca.

"Fred and I have decided to ask uncle to go by neither one route nor the other, but to travel by both of them, and the International line in addition; and this is the way we propose to do it:

We'll go from St. Louis to Laredo because of the saving of time and distance, and then we'll go to Monterey, which is an interesting city, by the National Railway. After we've done Monterey we'll go farther on, to Saltillo, and there we can cross over to Jaral, about forty miles, and find ourselves on the main line of the International Railway. There the train will pick us up and carry us to Torreon, on the Mexican Central Railway, and from there we can continue to the capital, seeing the best part of the Central line, or rather of the country through which it runs. The northern part of the route of the Central is said to be dreary and uninteresting, and so we shall be able to avoid it by the plan we have made.

The scheme was duly unfolded to the Doctor, who promptly gave his approval and commended the youths for the careful study they had made of the railway system of northern Mexico. Later on, said he, we will consider the subject of railways in other parts of Mexico, and I'm sure you will be able to make some interesting notes about it for your friends at home. Mexico was for a long time very backward in railway enterprises, but in the past few years she has gone ahead very rapidly. Ten years ago there were not five hundred miles of railway in the country; now there are nearly, if not quite, five thousand miles, and in ten years from this time there will be double that number. The Mexico of to-day is very different from the Mexico of a quarter of a century ago.

BRIDGE OVER THE MISSISSIPPI AT ST. LOUIS.

Our friends stopped a day in St. Louis, and another at San Antonio, Texas, partly for sight-seeing purposes and partly for rest. At the former city the great bridge over the Mississippi excited the wonder and admiration of the youths, who heard with much interest the story of its construction and the difficulties which the engineers encountered in laying the foundations. At San Antonio they had their first glimpse of Mexican life, as the city is quite Mexican in character, and at one time was almost wholly so. Doctor Bronson told them that about one-third of the inhabitants are of Mexican origin, and they could easily believe it as they saw the Mexican features all about them on the streets, and heard the Spanish language quite as often as any other.

THE ALAMO MISSION, SAN ANTONIO.

The object of greatest interest to them was the Alamo, the old fort which, in 1836, the Texans, who were fighting for independence, so heroically but unsuccessfully defended. They were disappointed to find that there is not much remaining of the fort, which originally consisted of an oblong enclosure, about an acre in extent, with walls three feet thick, and eight or ten feet high. There were 144 men in the Alamo, and they were besieged by 4000 Mexican troops under General Santa Anna, said a gentleman who accompanied them to the spot. The Mexicans had artillery, and the Texans had none, and against such odds it was hopeless to resist. Santa Anna sent a summons for them to surrender, and throw themselves upon Mexican mercy, but they refused to do so, and defied him and his army.

As he paused a moment, Fred asked why they refused to surrender when the odds were so much against them.

They knew what Mexican mercy was, said the gentleman. "It was illustrated not long afterwards at Goliad, where Colonel Fannin surrendered with 412 men as prisoners of war. They were promised to be released under the rules of war, and one Sunday morning, when they were singing 'Home, sweet home,' they were marched out and massacred, every man of them. The slaughter lasted from six till eight, and then the bodies of the slain were burned by orders of the general. It is proper to say that the Mexican officers were generally disgusted with the terrible business, but they were obliged to obey the orders of Santa Anna, or be themselves shot down. His policy was one of extermination, and he could have said on his death-bed that he left no enemies behind him, as he had killed them all.

Well, continued their informant, the siege of the Alamo began on the 23d of February, 1836, and lasted for thirteen days. Over 200 shells were thrown into the fort in the first twenty-four hours, but not a man was injured by them, while the Texan sharp-shooters picked off a great number of the Mexicans. Santa Anna made several assaults, but was driven back each time, and it is believed that he lost fully 1500 men in the siege. On the morning of the 6th of March a final assault was made, and the fort was captured; every man was killed in the fighting excepting six who surrendered, and among the six was the famous Col. David Crockett. Santa Anna ordered all of them to be cut to pieces, and Crockett fell with a dozen sword-wounds after his own weapons had been given up. Colonel Travis, who commanded the fort, was also killed, and so was Colonel Bowie, who was ill in bed at the time, and was shot where he lay. He was the inventor of the bowie-knife, which has been famous through the West and South-west for a good many years. Only three persons were spared from death, a woman, a child, and a servant.

How long was that before the battle of San Jacinto? one of the youths asked.

GEN. SAM HOUSTON, THE LIBERATOR OF TEXAS.

Less than seven weeks, was the reply, and never was there a more complete victory than at that battle. Gen. Sam Houston retreated slowly, and was followed by the Mexican army. He burned a bridge behind his enemies, and suddenly attacking them on the afternoon of April 21st, he killed half their number and captured nearly all the rest. The war-cry of the Texans was 'Remember the Alamo! remember Goliad!' and maddened by the recollection of the cruelties of the Mexicans, they fought like tigers, and carried everything before them. Santa Anna, disguised as a soldier, was captured the next day; Houston had hard work to save him from the fury of the Texans, but he was saved, and lived to fight again ten years later. But the battle of San Jacinto ended the war, and made Texas independent of Mexico.

A ride of a hundred and fifty miles to the south-west from San Antonio brought our friends to Laredo, on the banks of the Rio Grande, the dividing line between the United States and Mexico. The ride was through a thinly settled country, devoted principally to grazing, and there were few objects of interest along the route. The time was varied with looking from the windows of the car, with the perusal of books, and by conversation concerning the Texan war for independence, to which the thoughts of the party had naturally turned through their visit to the Alamo at San Antonio.

Texas was a province of Mexico, said the Doctor, "in the early part of the present century, the Spaniards having established missions and stations there at the same time that the French established missions and military posts in Louisiana. The territorial boundaries between France and Spain were never very clearly defined; the two countries were in a constant quarrel about their rights, and when we purchased the Louisiana territory from France we inherited the dispute about the boundaries. Adventurers from various parts of the United States poured into the country, and the population was more American than Mexican; there were many respectable men among the American settlers, but there was also a considerable proportion of what might